I've been waiting

Unlike Uther

The second the boy took my hand, i knew he had magic, but from what he said to the other boy, he was the only one with it. I was still unsure as to how this child knew my name, why he was homeless, and who was after him, but i knew i needed to help him.
This is my brother, he doesn't trust people
His voice rang through my head, and i smiled.
Would you like to come home with us, we can protect you, and give you a nice hot meal.
The boy nodded his head vigorously, and turned to explain to his brother. He was hesitant, but he nodded, the offer of food and a bed too good to pass up. As we headed to the car, we passed under a streetlight and i got a good look at the two boys. The older was fair of skin, with green eyes and a few strands of fiery hair poking from his hood, a very attractive child if not for the dirt and blood streaking his face. I tried to ignore the red stains, knowing i couldn't do anything until we got home. The younger boy on the other hand had dark skin and curly black hair, springing in all directions from his delicate face. The most shocking thing about his beauty, was the stunning blue of one of his eyes, the other being a dull brown. He caught me staring.
He's not my real brother. He looks after me.
Family doesn't always mean blood. I replied, earning a toothy grin from the boy. I unlocked the car door for him and his brother gave me a death glare before sliding in beside him and shutting the door firmly.
"I don't think he likes me" I whispered to Arthur as he went to his own door. 
"If it's any consolation, he looked at me like that too" He smiled, getting in. 

We drove in silence for a while before Arthur finally asked; "What are your names? I'm Arthur?" 
The young boy looked at me in the rear view mirror and i nodded.
"Maxwell. And Lucas, big brother"
Arthur gave me a confused look, but nodded at the boy with a smile. "I think you know Merlin"
"My daddy told me his name Emrys. He said Emrys would protect me when the demons came" Arthur shot me a worried glance.
"That's my.... other name. Who was your father?"
"Can't remember" He fell silent after that, leaning on his brother in the backseat. By the time we finally got home, Maxwell had fallen asleep, but Lucas, his arm protectively wrapped around his brother, was watching Arthur and I with suspicion. 
"We're here" I sighed, opening the door, glad the rain had finally stopped.
"This, is where you live?" He gasped, somehow managing to sound amazed and annoyed at the same time. I nodded. "Well, Shit" 
Arthur opened the car door for him, but he glared until Arthur backed away before hoisting his brother into his arms and carrying him to the door, staying at a good distance from both me and Arthur. 
"Shoes off" I politely requested as we stepped inside. Lucas looked as though he were going to protest, but then glanced around at the cleanliness of the hall, and thought against it. He put Maxwell down in the chair, took his trainers off, and then unlaced his own boots, dropping both pairs on the mat. 
"Thankyou" I smiled.
"Whatever" He grumbled, glancing over to his brother as he stirred awake. He rubbed at his eyes sleepily and looked to me with a smile.
You have nice house.
Thankyou Maxwell. Would you like to get cleaned up? I have spare clothes for you and Lucas.
Yes please.
"Lucas, i'm having bath. You should, you smell" Arthur cracked a smile at Maxwell's comment, and Lucas grumbled.
The two boys followed us upstairs, and we led them to a spare room. "You can stay here, or there's a room next doo-"
"We'll share" Lucas snapped.
"There's a bathroom through there, everything you need is there, the bedroom and bathroom doors both lock if that makes you feel more safe. I'm going to cook dinner, if you need anything, just yell" Lucas nodded brusquely and shut the door, locking it. I took Arthur's hand, kissed the knuckles, and dragged him downstairs to help me cook. I figured Pasta was safe, so i had Arthur chopping up chicken and ham, and grating cheese, while i did the rest.
"This is servants work" He mumbled, flashing me a cheeky smile.
"I'll take that as 'Thankyou for the opportunity to help Merlin, i do love spending time with you'" I jested, waving a spatula at him pointedly. He chuckled and leant across the counter to kiss my forehead.
"Of course i do" He was silent for a moment, and i knew he was deep in thought because his eyebrows were all scrunched up and cute. "What are we going to do about those two?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well we can't just keep them here forever..."
"What would you have me do instead? Toss them out on the streets?"
"No! Of course not- i didn't mean like- I just can't be a father-"
"Who says they need a father? Right now all they need is somewhere safe to sleep, and a hot meal, and someone to protect them. Besides, you'd be a great Dad" I walked around the counters to pull him closer to me, hip to hip.
"How do you know? What if i'm like my own father? What if i teach them to hate, and-" I kissed him to shut him up.
"You don't have the capacity for hatred like your father." I stated plainly, leaving no room in my tone for him to doubt i believed it, or to argue. He nodded and left it there. I heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and pulled away from Arthur, returning to the hob, and the pasta. Maxwell hovered in the doorway, glancing around the kitchen. Arthur set placemats down at the dining table and pulled chair out for the boy.
"Come in" I smiled. "I'm making pasta."
Maxwell practically ran to the chair, sitting down and twiddling his thumbs in anticipation. He had put on a ridiculously oversized jumper with seemingly nothing on his legs. I figured i would have to wash his old clothes or buy new ones, cause my clothes certainly weren't going to fit him. Lucas on the other hand had found an old pair of quarter-length cargo pants I'd bought in my grunge phase, that were full length on him, and held up with a belt, he'd made it work with one of my old hoodies that wasn't too big for him. He shuffled in, avoiding looking us in the eyes, and sat beside his brother.
I served up and took two plates, Arthur taking the other two, and we sat opposite them. By the time i was halfway through mine, the brothers had finished theirs and were waiting patiently.
"That was good" Maxwell grinned. Lucas wiped his brother's face with a napkin where he'd managed to get sauce on his cheek. I smiled at the two of them and finished my dinner. 
"I'll wash your clothes tonight so you can wear something that actually fits" I said, though i thought personally Lucas had managed to look stylish in an oversized way. "Would you like to watch something on the Tv?"
"No." Lucas said curtly. "We're tired" He stood from the table and waited for his brother, who eventually stood, seemingly not wanting to go to bed. They were at the door before Lucas reluctantly turned and said; "Thankyou.... for the food, and the bed. It's been a long time since Max has smiled like that"
I nodded, bidding him goodnight, and then turned to find Arthur glaring at me, his arms crossed across his chest.
"What was that? You moving away before the boys came in?"
"He's a 13 year old boy Arthur, he's had long enough to formulate an opinion on our sort of behaviour, on us being us. I just don't him to... hate us? More than he does anyway" I sighed, picking up the plates and trying to avoid the conversation by cleaning up. Arthur just followed me, bringing the glasses.
"This world teaches children to hate people like us?"
"Not the world, certain people. And we don't know what sort of people those boys have been spending time with out there." I turned away, dunking my hands in the water to wash the plates. Arthur pressed himself up against me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"You were the one that taught me to love who i wanted to. First Gwen... Then you. And now-"
"Just give it time. Let him at least get used to us as Arthur and Merlin separately before he knows us as Arthur and Merlin together" I huffed, reluctantly pushing him away. "Please"
"Fine"